American Colloid Co., is seeking to expand its mining operations north of Belle Fourche.

The Illinois-based company operates bentonite plants in Belle Fourche and in Colony, Wyoming. It placed the Belle Fourche plant on "idle status" in April. 

Steve Jokober, the plant operations manager in Belle Fourche, said the expanded mining operations would not include restarting the Belle Fourche plant. He said there are "no plans for that to change in the near future."  The potential new mining sites cover about 830 acres currently owned by Davis Ranch, Inc. The mineral rights are held by a mix of private owners and the federal Bureau of Land Management.

Bentonite is used in a variety of products, from paper and cat litter to animal feed and detergents.